Surgery for Early Stage Invasive Cervical Cancer. Experience of the Oncology Department of Ledantec Hospital

Background: Surgery is the treatment for early-stage cervical cancer. Radiochemotherapy is used in the treatment of locally advanced stages. But the choice of treatment can be difficult. Objective: The objective of this work was to evaluate the therapeutic aspects of cervical cancer in the early stages IA to IIA in the oncology department of A Ledantec Hospital in Dakar. Patients and methods: This was a descriptive retrospective study, from January 2015 to December 2020, in the oncology department of A Ledantec Hospital, including all the patients who had been treated for early-stage invasive cervical cancer. Results: We included 28 patients. The average age was 49.54 years old. There were 11 patients (39.3%) with a stage ≤ IB1. Surgery was the first in 14 patients (50%). The initial approach was a midline supra and subumbilical laparotomy. The surgery was R0 in 65.22%. Postoperative complications were found in 4 patients including 1 case of operative wound suppuration, 1 case of dysuria, 1 case of postoperative eventration and 1 case of rectovaginal fistula. Concomitant Radiochemotherapy was neoadjuvant in 7 cases (25%), adjuvant in 14 cases (50%). The chemotherapy was neoadjuvant in 09 cases (56.25%) and adjuvant in 7 cases (43.75%) with minor toxicities. We had recorded 2 deaths. Conclusion: The treatment of the early stages of invasive cervical cancer is based on surgery. Neoadjuvant treatments may be useful in particular situations.

Preservation of the Intercostobrachial Nerve during Axillary Dissection for Breast Cancer at the Surgical Oncology Unit of Cancer Department of Dakar University

The intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) is responsible for the sensory innervation of a part of the inner side of the arm. Injury of the intercostobrachial nerve is a complication of axillary dissection during lymph node dissection. Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of preservation of the intercostobrachial nerve on postoperative sensory disturbances. Methods: This is a prospective, single-center study which was carried out in 90 patients followed in the oncology department of the Aristide Le Dantec hospital in Dakar, suffering from breast cancer and having undergone breast surgery associated with axillary dissection, for a period of 6 months. The patients were divided into two groups depending on whether the intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) was preserved or not. The two groups were compared in terms of the incidence of sensory disturbances. Results: Sixty patients without nerve preservation and 30 patients with nerve preservation were included in the study, i.e., 90 patients in total. ICBN was injured in 60 patients of which 41 patients (83.7%) developed numbness in the inner arm. While in the preserved group, only 8 patients suffered from numbness (16.3%) with a significant P value of 0.002;however, for other variables such as the incidence of neuropathic pain and hypoesthesia-like sensory deficit, there was no significant difference. Conclusion: Preservation of the intercostobrachial nerve during axillary dissection for breast cancer reduces the incidence of sensory disturbances on the upper limb.

Demons-Meigs Syndrome: A Case Report at the Fatick Regional Hospital

Demons-Meigs syndrome combines a benign tumor of the ovary with thoracic and abdominal effusion, it is a rare disease whose pathophysiological mechanism is not yet well understood. This rare syndrome often gives rise to fear of ovarian neoplasia due to the existence of ascites and the significant elevation of CA 125. In this observation, we report the case of Demons-Meigs syndrome diagnosed in a 36-year-old young woman who presented with pleural and peritoneal effusion syndrome with an ovarian mass and a CA 125 level = 406.6 IU/ml. Laparotomy performed revealed very abundant ascites, the uterus and tubes were healthy, no suspicious peritoneal lesions, the left ovary is healthy, a right ovarian mass of 300 × 150 mm. A right annexectomy was performed. The operative suites were simple with drying of the effusions. The control CA 125 returned to normal after 6 months of follow-up. A pathological anatomy result is a fibrothecoma. Demons-Meigs syndrome has a good prognosis;treatment is based on removal of the ovarian tumor.

Cystic Breast Cancer. A Confusing Entity. Study of 8 Cases at Dakar University Surgical Oncology Unit

Introduction: Cystic breast cancer is a rare entity. Breast cysts are most often benign. The clinical characteristics of malignancy are not specific. Objective: To report a series of malignant cystic tumors of the breast and to describe their different characteristics. Materials and Methods: This was an observational study carried out between January 2018 and October 2021 at the Dakar university surgical oncology unit. We studied the clinical appearance, imaging, histopathology, extent of disease and treatment. We did not include cases of pure, single, or multiple chronically progressive cysts. Results: There were 8 patients, 6 women and 2 men. The average age was 44. All patients presented with a palpable unilateral deforming skin mass without inflammatory character. One patient presented with a bloody discharge. The cyst was multilocular without intracystic growth in 2 cases and presented a growth signal in 6 cases. Imaging was ACR 3 in 5 cases and ACR 4 in 3 cases. Histopathology found 6 invasive carcinomas including 2 papillary, 3 Invasive Carcinoma of No Special Type (ICNST), 1 lobular carcinoma as well as one case of lobular carcinoma in situ of the comedocarcinoma type in women and 2 ICNST in men. The extension workup was found in only 1 male patient in the presence of metastases. Treatment included chemotherapy, mastectomy and radiotherapy for 6 of the patients. There wasn’t any complete response for invasive cases. Survival is 100% to date. Conclusion: Cystic breast tumors sometimes hide the cancer that is difficult to diagnose. The prognosis seems favorable, however.

Superficial Myxoid Liposarcoma of the Thigh

Myxoid liposarcoma is the most common form of myxoid sarcoma. Their primary and superficial localizations are very rare compared to the deeper forms. We report the case of myxoid liposarcoma in a 57-year-old patient. The clinical picture marked by painless swelling of the right thigh had evolved over a period of about ten years. The diagnosis was guided by ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. A pathological examination of the surgical specimen after removal of the tumor helped to clarify the diagnosis. We discuss the clinical presentation and therapeutic management.

A Shoulder Mass Revealing a Metastatic Prostate Cancer

Introduction: A shoulder mass revealing metastatic prostate cancer is very rare. We report a case of metastatic prostate cancer diagnosed on a shoulder mass and treated with analgesic radiotherapy and chemotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Observations: A 66 years old patient was referred for a painful right shoulder mass whose biopsy and pathological examination found a Gleason 8 (4 + 4) moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. The PSA level was 508.52 ng/ml. The patient was treated with analgesic radiotherapy on the right shoulder and chemo-hormonal therapy. At 2 years follow-up, the disease was well controlled. Conclusion: A shoulder mass revealing metastatic prostate cancer is not common. Local treatment of the symptomatic metastasis while continuing chemotherapy and ADT improves the quality of life.

Management of Phylloid Sarcomas: A Retrospective Study of 12 Cases

Background: Phylloid sarcomas are rare. There is not enough data to codify the management. Objectives: The objective was to study the clinical and therapeutic aspects and the fate of patients after a follow-up of at least 4 years. Thus contributing to the limited body of knowledge on these tumors. Methods: a retrospective analysis of the files from 2013 to 2017 was carried out and patients were followed up until 2021at Hassan II Hospital. Epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects were studied. Survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: We collected 12 charts of patients treated for phyllodeal sarcoma from 2013 to 2017. The median age was 43 years. The circumstance of discovery was marked by the presence of nodule in all patients. The coupled echo-mammography examination classified the nodules, ACR 4 in 7 patients and ACR 3 in 3 and ACR 5 in 2 patients. Histological examination revealed a phylloid sarcoma in 11 patients and a borderline phylloid tumor in 1 patient. All patients had radical surgery with positive margins in 2 patients, 16.66%. One patient had revision surgery. Histological examination of the surgical specimens showed phylloid sarcoma on all specimens. All patients had adjuvant radiotherapy with doses of 50 Gy in 25 fractions of 2 Gy and a boost of 10 Gy was done in one patient. The median spread of radiotherapy was 37 days. Grade 1 and 2 skin toxicities were noted in 5 and 3 patients respectively. The median time from surgery to radiotherapy was 2.95 months. 3 patients relapsed after 13.6 months of follow-up. The recurrence-free survival at 1 and 3 years was 83% and 75% respectively. Overall survival at 3 and 5 years was 83% and 75% respectively. Conclusion: This is a rare entity which requires randomized trials to codify its management. It would seem that the multidisciplinary approach, associating surgery ± radiotherapy, is a good option.